Light conductor and treatment for ailments involving the throat

ABSTRACT

A device for providing therapeutic treatment to a throat comprises an elongated body with a first end and a second end opposite the first end and shaped to temporarily extend from the mouth of a user to a throat area of the user where, during use, the first end is at the mouth and the second end is within the throat area. The device further includes an electrically-powered ultra-violet-frequency light source coupled to the body and an ultra-violet-frequency light emitter at the second end of the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/849,592, filed Sep. 4, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 11/516,178, filed Sep. 5, 2006, both entitled“Light Conductor and Treatment for Ailments Involving the Throat”, thecomplete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device used to irradiate and reduceor eliminate harmful bacteria and other “germs” that may reside in therear mouth and throat area. More specifically, the invention relates toa self-contained device, capable of being used by one individual withoutassistance, wherein natural sunlight is transmitted to the throat areato accomplish the desired result. Upon viewing this disclosure, theinvented device will be recognized as extremely useful by those personswishing to accomplish self-healing methods for afflictions such as asore throat without resorting to the typical drugs and antibioticsconsumed for such purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,900, Okamoto, et al., addresses a root canalsterilization method, wherein a hand-held light guide attached to acounter-top UV generating means is used. This device is designed to beused by a dentist and does not permit use of natural sunlight.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,090, Maeda, et al., addresses a toothbrush connectedto a power source by a power supply cord, which toothbrush uses opticfibers to admit irradiating light to the teeth. This device is designedto be used to cleanse the teeth and does not permit of use of naturalsunlight.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,608, Chen, et al., addresses an implantable probecomprising LED's or LD's used to emit irradiating light to varioustissues of the body for extended periods of time. This device isdesigned to be used on a long-term basis within the body and does notpermit of use of natural sunlight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices used to irradiateharmful bacteria and other “germs” within the human mouth and throat.The invented device, called a “light conductor” or “light conductordevice” utilizes light to treat infections and eliminate harmful germsand bacteria within the human body, with natural sunlight being theespecially-preferred light source and other sources of UV-spectrum lightbeing alternative sources.

The invented device may be used safely by an individual, withoutassistance, to treat infections by reducing or eliminating bacteria orother microorganisms that are susceptible to sunlight, specificallywithin the rear mouth and upper throat areas. The invented device may beused as a supplement to, or instead of, conventional and/or homeopathictreatments and medicines. The inventor believes that treatment at home,using the invented device, may help prevent or at least postpone theneed for doctor visits, emergency room visits, and antibiotics.

The invented device may help those who are traveling or are far awayfrom medical care, for example, those who are hiking, sailing, ortraveling or living in remote regions. Further, the inventor believesthat some embodiments may be effective in treating, reducing oreliminating the bacteria in the mouth that cause many cases of “badbreath.”

The invented device is held in the mouth so that an elongated portion ofthe device extends at least to the rear of the mouth and preferably intothe upper region of the throat. The device is adapted to receive naturalsunlight at its outer, distal end and to carry it to its proximal endinside the user's throat. The distal end extending outside the mouth isplaced in the sunlight, and the sunlight travels through the device tothe proximal end inside the rear of the mouth or throat, from which thesunlight radiates. The proximal end is preferably designed to radiatelight in many directions at the same time, so that the natural sunlightreaches much of the surface of the rear mouth and upper throat. Byvirtue of sunlight's natural tendency to kill or otherwise inactivatemicro-organisms, the sunlight reduces or eliminates the micro-organismscausing the sore throat and illness.

The preferred embodiments are larger at the distal, sunlight-collectingend, thence tapering along the length of the device to the proximal,sunlight-emitting end. The preferred embodiments are preferablyconstructed of optically clear plastic and are also preferably at leastsomewhat flexible, permitting comfortable insertion within the mouth andat least some conforming to the interior contours of same. The opticallyclear plastic may be in the form, for example, of a single piece thatforms the entire or substantially the entire body of the lightconductor, or a bundle or group of light fibers extending along thelength of the body, as will be understood by one of skill in the fiberoptics.

Preferably, the preferred light conductor has no power source exceptthat it receives and transmits sunlight, for example, the preferredlight conductor has no battery and no electrical connection. Thepreferred sunlight conductor has no light-bulbs, no light-emittingdiodes, and no other devices that create or emit UV or other radiationexcept for structure and material from which sunlight may radiate.

The elongated light conductor structure is adapted to extend through theuser's mouth and to the upper throat area, preferably with minimal, orat least comfortable, contact with the tongue and the throat, by meansof the light conductor having a slightly curved shape and a size, shape,and thickness that fit well over the tongue and into the throat.Preferably, the light conductor is long enough to extend past all or asubstantial portion of the tongue, and is of proportions, shape, andflexibility or texture preferably do not trigger a gag reflex in mostpeople. The light conductor may be shorter than that shown in thedrawings for users that may comfortably place a device in their mouthbut feel they must keep it slightly forward of the throat. Also, thelight conductor may optionally be rigid or substantially rigid, but thismay tend to cause discomfort or gag reflex in more people.

The distal, light-collecting end need not be large or have a largesurface area, as the preferred optically-clear plastic, once hit bysunlight, will carry the light to the proximal end. The distal end maybe a small member, plate, or other protrusion that extends only 1-4inches from the mouth, for example. The optically-clear plastic of thedistal end is uncovered and unsheathed, so that all of it, or asubstantial portion of it, is exposed to light when the user stands inthe sunlight.

The middle portion of the tubular structure, between the distal andproximal ends, may be covered with a thin layer of opaque material,preventing sunlight captured at the distal end from exiting the deviceuntil said sunlight reaches and exits the proximal end of the tube.

The device may comprise some structure for helping the user position thelight conductor in his/her mouth, for example, a positioner forplacement at the outside of the lips and/or a positioner for beingbitten or clenched between the teeth. In the embodiments shown, a ringis placed around and affixed to the light conductor, in close proximityto the distal end, wherein said structure is comprised of soft, pliableand flexible material upon which the teeth are closed or clenched to aidin keeping the light conductor at the proper attitude within the mouthand allowing hands-free use of the device. This positioner structure,and the other portions of the light conductor, should be waterproof,easily cleaned, and resistant to available cleaning aids such as soapsand detergents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a light conductor, according to oneembodiment of the present invention, in use in a user's mouth andthroat.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the light conductor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the light conductor of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the light conductor ofFIGS. 1-3, taken along the lines 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 A is a cross-sectional elevation view of the light conductor ofFIG. 1-3, taken along the lines 5-5 in FIG. 3, wherein the body of thelight conductor is a solid piece of optically-clear plastic.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional elevation view according to a secondembodiment of the present invention, wherein a cross-section as at line5-5 in FIG. 3 would reveal a bundle of light fibers rather than a solidpiece of optically-clear plastic.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional elevation view of the light conductor inFIGS. 1-4, and 5A, viewed along the line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional elevation view according to the secondembodiment, wherein a cross-section as at line 6-6 would reveal thelight fibers (see also FIG. 5B).

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevation view of the sunlight-emitting end ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of the distal end of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention, which comprises a battery and an LED.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 9, viewedalong the line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10,viewed along the line 11-11 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the embodiment of FIG.9-11, viewed along the line 12-12 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the proximal end of the embodiment ofFIG. 9-12.

FIG. 14 is a partial plan view of the distal end of the embodiment ofFIG. 9-13.

FIG. 15 is a top view of an alternative embodiment that taperssignificantly in its side-to-side dimension and the top-to-bottomdimensions.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a light conductor, according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the light conductor of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a process flow diagram illustrating one exemplary method forusing the light conductor, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the light conductor of FIGS. 17 and18, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in use in auser's mouth and throat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While referring to the figures, there are shown several, but not theonly, embodiments of the invented light conductor device used to kill,weaken, or otherwise reduce the effects of harmful bacteria or othergerms in the throat. It is understood that the invented light conductormay also eliminate or reduce bacteria in the mouth or throat that areconsidered “good” bacteria or at least are considered not harmful. Thepreferred light conductor provides mild enough treatment that the “good”bacteria are not all destroyed as the harmful bacteria are reduced, anda more healthy balance of “good” bacteria and “bad” bacteria isreestablished.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it may be observed that, in use, the lightconductor assembly 30 is inserted into the mouth M such that the distalend 14 of light conductor body 12 remains outside the lips so that itmay collect sunlight S. The proximal end 16 is located at the upperthroat area T. Sunlight S travels the length of conductor body 12 andexits through proximal end 16 to irradiate the interior of the throat.

While the light conductor assembly 10 is portrayed in FIGS. 1-8 as adevice that is fairly substantial in size relative to the mouth andthroat, but many embodiments will be much smaller in diameter, forexample, smaller in width and thickness all the way along the portion ofthe body adapted to be inside the mouth and throat. See, for example,FIGS. 15 and 16.

The teeth 30 of the person P are closed or clenched upon ring 20 to aidin keeping the light conductor 10 in the proper position within themouth M, thereby permitting the user to have his or her hands free forother tasks.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that conductor body 12 islarger at the distal end 14 than at proximal end 16 and generally makesa more or less tapered transition in shape along its length from oval atthe distal end 14 to round at the proximal end 16. This shape allows fora requisite amount of sunlight to be collected at distal end 14 and tobe concentrated along the generally tapering length of light conductorbody 12 to provide the necessary amount of sunlight exiting conductorbody 12 at proximal end 16 to eliminate or reduce germs in the throat.FIG. 2 illustrates one, but not the only, shape with which lightconductor 10 may be constructed, for example, the light conductor 10 maybe generally square, triangular, round, or other shapes incross-section. Further, for embodiments that are used to reduce oreliminate “bad breath,” it may be beneficial to produce a lightconductor that is slightly shorter in length, and has a proximal endthat is flattened and relatively broad so that it emits light preferablyall the way across the width of the tongue and preferably over theentire or substantially the entire surface of the tongue.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, it will be observed that conductorbody 12 is designed, in a side profile, with a generally-curved shape toaccommodate the curvature of the mouth and throat. Conductor body 12 iscomprised of optically-clear plastic as will be understood by those inthe fiber optics field after reading and viewing this application. Thegreater portion of conductor body 12, between distal end 14, at whichsunlight is collected, and proximal end 16, at which sunlight isdistributed into the throat, has disposed upon its outer surface cover18, comprised of an opaque, preferably resilient and pliable material,through which sunlight cannot penetrate. Cover 18 prevents sunlight fromradiating out of conductor body 12 until said light reaches proximal end16.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, it may be seen that positioner ring20, comprised of, but not limited to, a relatively soft pliable materialsuch as rubber, is preferably adhesively attached to and surrounds body12 and cover 18. A user may gently clench the upper and lower frontteeth 30 upon positioner ring 20 (see FIG. 1), to aid in keeping thelight conductor 10 at the proper attitude within the mouth, and, asaforementioned, allow hands-free use of the device. Referring now toFIG. 5, it will be observed that the cross-sectional shape of conductorbody 12 may be constructed to permit easier insertion of the light tube10 within the mouth. In this case, a depression 22 integrally moldedwithin the lower portion of conductor body 12 may aid in the insertion,and/or comfortable resting, of the device over the top of the user'stongue. Other shapes and contours, including a thinner, smaller-diameterconductor, may be provided; many users may feel that a very thinconductor, such as less than ½ inch from top to bottom surface and/orless than ½ inch in diameter, is easier to tolerate in the mouth for thepreferred several minutes of treatment time. See, for example, FIGS. 15and 16. Also, the distal end and/or positioner for being gripped betweenthe teeth, for example, may be smaller, thinner, and/or other shapes andsizes as desired and as effective for light conduction and/orcomfortable use.

Referring now to FIGS. 5B and 6B, an alternate embodiment of theinvented device is shown wherein light transmitting light fibers 24,also constructed of optically clear plastic, are used to carry lightfrom distal end 14 of body 12 to proximal end 16. The light fibers 24may be received in a hollow casing that forms the conductor body, orotherwise contained inside the conductor body. The light transmittingtubes 24 fulfill all the functions of the solid or continuousoptically-clear plastic body of the first embodiment described in thepreceding narrative. Having a bundle of light fibers, which arethemselves somewhat flexible, inside a generally flexible casing, mayprovide more comfort for many users.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 13, illustrated therein is a thirdembodiment of the present invention wherein a conductor 10′ includes astorage battery power source 26 and light emitting diode source 16 areinstalled within body 12, wherein electrical connections 28 are providedto connect said power source with the light emitting diode or diodes 16.The diode(s) may be UV-LED's or other diodes that emit light of aspectrum that damages or kills the bacteria and micro-organisms that arethe target of the invention. Alternatively, other light sources may beused in embodiments of the invention, including various sources thatemit light in a spectrum or part of a spectrum that are effective indamaging, reducing, and/or killing the bacteria or other micro-organismsthat are the target of the invention. Also, as an alternative to theembodiments shown in the drawings, the invention may include embodimentsusing a “passive” light conductor such as that shown in FIGS. 1-8 (whichtypically relies on gathering of natural sunlight rather than light froma man-made source) combined with a separate but easily-attachable andeasily-detachable “active” light source. Examples of such a light sourcemight be a battery-powered or electrical-grid-powered light source thatclips-on or is otherwise attachable to and removable from the passivelight conductor, for example, attachable to the distal end so that itneed not reach into the mouth of the user.

Alternatively, the battery and LED(s) may be combined together in a unitgenerally in the central portion of the body of the device, and fiberoptic tubes or a larger member of optically-clear plastic may beinterposed between the battery/LED unit and the light-emitting proximalend. Such light fibers, or other optically-clear member(s) wouldtransmit light generated by the battery and LED unit to the proximalend, which end would preferably be an unsheathed, optically-clearplastic member adapted to radiate light out to the mouth and throat.

In these battery-powered embodiments, the general shape and principle ofoperation may remain the same as in the preferred embodiments, however,the light conductor body may be comprised of an opaque material, withthe exception of proximal end 16, as there is no sunlight being gatheredat the distal end 14′ for transmission through the body of theconductor. Light in these battery-powered embodiments is beingtransmitted from an LED in the proximal end or inside the body, so lightonly needs to travel from the LED out of the proximal end to the mouthand throat. If the LED is provided at the distal end, the light willonly have to travel through the LED cover/casing. If light travels froman LED(s) located away from the end of the conductor body, light fibersor a larger light-transmitting member may be provided to carry thelight, and the body itself will not necessarily need to beoptically-clear.

The distal end 14′ of such embodiments, not being used to collectsunlight, may be of a different shape, for example, a flared or slightlyenlarged end, preferably sufficient only to prevent swallowing orchoking on the device by the user.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an especially-preferred substantially-taperedlight conductor 10″ according to another embodiment of the invention,which better illustrates how the dimensions may be reduced to be quitesmall, in order to be more comfortable and less intimidating to manyusers. The size of the preferred embodiments, especially the portionextending to the throat, may be reduced to be quite thin both in theside-to-side dimension and in the top-to-bottom dimension, as long asthe light still travels efficiently from the distal end to the proximalend, as will be understood after viewing this disclosure by those in thefield of fiber optics.

The main body of the light conductor may have alternative shapes andcontours, and also the distal end and proximal end may have alternativeshapes and contours. For example, while the proximal end shown in FIGS.7 and 13 may be called generally semi-spherical or a portion of asphere, other shapes may be used with a goal of emitting/radiating lightin many directions from the proximal end. For example,emitting/radiating at least 180 degrees around the proximal end, and,more preferably, 180-340 degrees around the proximal end. An oval,elongated, cylindrical, or other proximal end shape may be used toprovide surface area that does not focus the light in one direction butsubstantially all around the rear mouth and/or the upper throat.

In summary, many light conductors according to embodiments of theinvention may be described as: a light conductor device for treatingsore throat and other ailments caused by bacteria or othermicro-organisms in the throat, the light conductor having an elongatedbody having a proximal end adapted for insertion into the human mouthand a distal end adapted for being outside the mouth and receivingnatural sunlight, the elongated body comprising optically-clear plasticextending between the distal end and the proximal end so that saidnatural sunlight received by the distal end is transmitted to saidproximal end from which it radiates out from the light conductor intothe throat of the user to radiate said bacteria or othermicro-organisms. The light conductor device may have no power sourceother than the sunlight being received on the distal end, and,preferably, the conductor device has no battery and no connection to anyelectrical power source.

The light conductor device may have an elongated body made substantiallyof optically-clear plastic, or an elongated body comprising light fiberswhich are the optically-clear plastic, both the plastic body or the bodyholding light fibers being adapted to carry the natural sunlight fromthe distal end to the proximal end. The proximal end preferably isadapted to radiate sunlight in greater than 180 degrees around theproximal end, for example, by means of being shaped generally as apart-spherical or semi-spherical surface, or a generally cylindricalsurface, adapted to radiate sunlight to the throat. Most preferably, theproximal end is adapted to radiate sunlight almost 360 degrees(typically about 340 degrees, leaving room for the body of the deviceconnecting to the proximal end) around the proximal end so that thesunlight reaches substantially the entire upper throat.

The device may be made in different sizes and lengths for children,teens, and adults, for example, ranging from about 4 to 12 inches long,and more typically, from about 5 to 8 inches long. The device may becurved on a radius between the proximal end and the distal end, so thatthe proximal end may curve down into the throat. Many of the embodimentswill be curved on about a 4-6 inch radius.

The light conductor distal end typically only needs to protrude from themouth (beyond the lips) about 1-4 inches, as sunlight will hit thedistal end and, due to the natural properties of sunlight and thepreferred materials of the device, will travel efficiently through thedevice to the proximal end. The user may want to tilt his/her head backslightly to allow the sun to hit a substantial portion of the distalend, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, a larger plate or sun-collectingmember may be integral with or attached to the distal end.

The user may find the invented device an easy-to-use self-treatmenttool, and may find that even a few minutes of self-treatment will help.Use of the device does not require a doctor or nurse or other assistant,but users are encouraged to monitor their health and seek medical adviceif the sore throat persists more than a few days. Typically, theinventor recommends 2-15 minutes of use per treatment, and morepreferably, 3-5 minutes of use per treatment, with multiple treatmentsseparated by ½-4 hours. The user should be careful not to overuse thedevice, due to possible concerns about over-exposure to sunlight. Theinvented device is not intended for sterilization during root canals, orother dental work, and the invented device preferably does not includeany tooth brushing member.

In the embodiments including a battery and one or more LED's, featuressimilar to those of the sunlight-powered device may be included, forexample, the part-spherical, semi-spherical, cylindrical, orsemi-cylindrical proximal end, the curvature and/or contours and/orpreferred (but not required) flexibility for making the device morecomfortable in the mouth. One would expect that battery-poweredembodiments would also be in the range of 4-12 (more preferably 5-8)inches long and curved on a 4-6 inch radius. The distal end of suchembodiments could be smaller/shorter as it need not collect sunlight;for example, such distal ends may protrude about 0.5-2 (more preferably−05-1 inch) from the mouth.

Embodiments of the invention may include methods of using a lightconductor to help cure sore throats or other illnesses. The methods mayinclude not connecting the device to any external power source (exceptthe sun). The preferred methods may include not treating the teeth, rootcanals, or sinuses, but, preferably, treating the throat.

FIG. 17 shows a top view of another embodiment of the present invention,which includes a light-collecting portion 1702, a light-conductingportion 1704, and a light-emitting portion 1706. The light-collectingportion 1702 includes a curved light-collecting face 1708. The curvedlight-collecting face 1708, in one embodiment, is a transparent materialthat allows light to pass through the face 1708 and into an interior(not shown in this view) of the inventive device 1700. The face 1708 isframed by a pair of side walls 1710 and 1712 that extend from the face1708 and converge in an arcuate shape toward one another.

The side walls 1710 and 1712 flow into and are integral with a set ofside walls 1714 and 1716 that frame the light-conducting portion 1704.The light-conducting portion 1704 provides a pathway for channelinglight collected at the face 1708 to the light-emitting portion 1706,which will be described in the following paragraph. As can be seen bythe top view of FIG. 17, the sidewalls of the light-conduction portionare substantially parallel to one another between the light-collectingportion 1702 and the light-emitting portion 1706, in other words, withinthe light-conducting portion 1704.

The light-emitting portion 1706 includes a curved transparent face 1718that is framed by a pair of side walls 1720 and 1722 that diverge fromone another along a path from the light-conducting portion 1704 to theface 1718. The diverging walls 1720 and 1722 allow light that istraveling along the light-conducting portion 1704 to disperse within theinterior 1724 of the light-emitting portion 1706 and exit the curvedface 1718 in an evenly distributed pattern.

FIG. 18 shows a side view of the embodiment of the inventive deviceshown in FIG. 17. As is shown in the side view, an upper wall 1802 andan opposing lower wall 1804 are attached to the light-collecting face1708. The lower wall 1804 includes a first portion 1806 that issubstantially parallel to a first portion 1808 of the upper wall 1802.The lower wall 1804 also includes a second portion 1810 that convergesin a slightly arcuate shape toward a second portion 1812, also with aslightly arcuate shape, of the upper wall 1802. The upper 1802 and lower1804 walls define an interior area 1800. The interior area 1800 isdefined by a set of surfaces, which are the upper wall 1802, lower wall1804, and side walls 1710 and 1712 (see FIG. 17). In one embodiment,these walls are polished so that light within the interior 1800 isrefracted off of the surfaces thereof and is channeled to thelight-emitting face 1718.

As is also shown in FIG. 18, the upper wall 1802 and opposing lower wall1804 are seamlessly coupled to an upper wall 1814 and lower wall 1816 ofthe light-conducting portion 1704. The upper wall 1814 and lower wall1816 of the light-conducting portion 1704 are substantially parallel toeach other along the length of the light-conducting portion 1704.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the upper wall 1814 and lower wall1816 of the light-conducting portion 1704 continue into thelight-emitting portion 1706 and become upper wall 1818 and lower wall1820 of the light-emitting portion 1706. Therefore, the light-emittingface 1718 is framed by side walls 1720 and 1722, upper wall 1818, andlower wall 1820.

Also shown in the side view of FIG. 18 is a protuberance 1822 extendingfrom the lower wall 1804 of the light-collecting portion 1702 of theinventive device. The protuberance 1822 provides a tactile guide for auser to feel with his/her mouth and, therefore, know when the device isinserted a proper distance therein. The invention, however, is not solimited to the protuberance shown and can be any other raised area andshape or indented area or shape.

The embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18 is particularly well suited fortreating a throat. The light-emitting portion 1706 is small, in terms ofboth height and width, and can easily fit into the throat of a userwithout causing a gag reflex. The light-conduction portion 1704 is thin,flat, and long enough to extend into the throat and direct thelight-emitting portion towards an area of the throat that requirestreatment. In addition, the light-collecting portion 1702 is wide enoughto not completely fit into a user's mouth and create a choking hazard.The width of the light-collecting portion 1702 also presents a largearea for light collection. Furthermore, the protuberance 1822 provides atactile indicator of when the device 1700 is inserted a sufficientdistance into the user's throat.

In one embodiment, the device 1700 is made of a material that presentslittle impedance to the light rays entering the light-collecting face1708 so that they are delivered with maximum intensity to and out of thelight-emitting face 1718. One embodiment of the present invention alsoprovides the upper wall 1808 in a transparent material that allows lightto enter the device 1700 through the upper wall 1808 and from adirection above the device 1700. In this embodiment, the lower wall 1806presents a reflective surface that will refract light that enters fromthe upper wall 1808 and cause it to be reflected back into the device1700.

FIG. 19 is a process flow diagram describing a method for utilizing theinventive light-conducting device 1700 to treat a sore throat or otherailments caused by bacterial or other micro-organisms in the throat. Theflow starts at step 1900 and moves directly to step 1902 where a userinserts the light-emitting portion of the device 1700 into their mouth.In step 1904, the device 1700 is pushed deeper into the mouth until thelight-emitting portion protrudes into the throat. The user then, in step1906, exposes the light-collecting face 1708 to natural or manufacturedsunlight for a period of time selected for providing one dose oftreatment to the back of the throat. In step 1908, the device is removedfrom the user's throat and mouth. The process ends at step 1910.

Although this invention has been described above with reference toparticular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extendsinstead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

1. A device for providing therapeutic treatment to a throat, the devicecomprising: an elongated body having a first end and a second endopposite the first end and shaped to temporarily extend from the mouthof a user to a throat area of the user where, during use, the first endis at the mouth and the second end is within the throat area; anelectrically-powered ultra-violet-frequency light source coupled to thebody; and an ultra-violet-frequency light emitter at the second end ofthe body and coupled to the light source.
 2. The device according toclaim 1, wherein: the ultra-violet-frequency light emitter is a lightemitting diode.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: the lightemitting diode is powered by the ultra-violet-frequency light source. 4.The device according to claim 2, wherein: the electrically-poweredultra-violet-frequency light source includes a light emitting diode. 5.The device according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one lightfiber optically coupling the light emitting diode at theelectrically-powered ultra-violet-frequency light source to the lightemitter.
 6. The device according to claim 2, wherein: theelectrically-powered ultra-violet-frequency light source is at thesecond end of the body.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: theelectrically-powered ultra-violet-frequency light source is removablycoupled to the first end of the body.
 8. The device according to claim1, wherein: the first end first end of the body has at least onedimension larger than the second end of the body and is of a size toprevent entry into the throat area of the user.
 9. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises: a generally arcuateshaped portion shaped to fit comfortably into a user's throat.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises: a curvedlight-collecting face; a first side wall adjacent the light-collectingface at a first end thereof; a second side wall opposing the first sidewall and adjacent the light-collecting face at a first end thereof, boththe first side wall and the second side wall extending away from thelight-collecting face, converging toward one another, and meeting at thelight emitter at second ends thereof; an upper wall adjacent thelight-collecting face at a first end thereof; and a lower wall opposingthe upper wall and adjacent the light-collecting face at a second endthereof, the lower and upper walls each including a first portionconverging toward one another and meeting at the light emitter at secondends thereof, wherein the light-collecting face is framed by the firstends of the first side wall, the second side wall, the upper wall andthe lower wall.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the lightemitter further comprises: a light dispersing chamber that includes: afirst side wall; and a second side wall opposing the first side wall,the first and second side walls diverging away from one another in adirection toward the light emitter face.
 12. The device according toclaim 10, further comprising: a protuberance on the second end of thelower wall.
 13. The device according to claim 10, wherein at least aportion of the upper wall and at least a portion of the lower wall isarcuate shaped.
 14. A device for providing therapeutic treatment to athroat, the device comprising: a body having a length with a generalarcuate shape, a first end, and a second end, the second end and atleast a portion of the length being sized to comfortably fit within themouth and throat area of a user; an energy source provided within thebody; and a light emitter at the second end of the body and operable toemit light directly into the throat area of the user in the ultra-violetfrequency spectrum when energized by the energy source.
 15. The deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein: the light emitter is a light emittingdiode.
 16. The device according to claim 14, wherein: the energy sourceis a light source; and the light emitter is an emitting end of at leastone light fiber communicating light from the energy source.
 17. Thedevice according to claim 14, wherein the light emitter comprises: acurved transparent face.
 18. The device according to claim 14, wherein:the first end has at least one dimension greater than a correspondingdimension of the second end and is sized to prevent the second end fromentering the throat area of the user.
 19. The device according to claim14, wherein: the first end is provided with a flared shape to preventthe first end from entering the throat area of the user.
 20. A devicefor treating a throat, the device comprising: a curved light-collectingface; a first side wall adjacent the light-collecting face; a secondside wall opposing the first side wall and adjacent the light-collectingface, both the first side wall and the second side wall extending awayfrom the light-collecting face and converging toward one another; anupper wall adjacent the light-collecting face; a lower wall opposing theupper wall and adjacent the light-collecting face, the lower and upperwalls each including a first portion converging toward one another; alight emitter coupled to the first side and second side walls, the upperwall, and the lower wall; and an electrically-powered light sourceremovably mechanically couplable to the light-collecting face.